Agenda Cover Memorandum - Park Ridge, Illinois

Agenda Cover Memorandum

Meeting Date: October 14, 2013 City Council Budget Workshop
Meeting Type: COW (Committee of the Whole)
Item Title:
Action Requested: Scavengers/Scrappers

Staff Contact: Approval
Phone Number: For discussion
Email Address: Feedback requested
For your information
Frank Kaminski, Chief of Police
(847) 318-5261
[email protected]

Background:
Alderman Milissis requested that the Department investigate how other communities handle
scavengers/scrappers. Attached are copies of four local ordinances regarding scrappers/scavengers.
The municipalities are as follows: Niles, Illinois, Cary, Illinois, Barrington, Illinois and Munster, Indiana.

These ordinances are fairly similar. The common requirements are as follows:
 Application / Vehicle information
 Background Check
 License Required (Renewed annually)
 Fee (Niles: $250, Cary: $0, Barrington: $0 and Munster, IN: $25 background check and once
approved: $50 annual fee)
 License in possession at time of scavenging
 Possible restriction as to time of day and day of week

There are two sides to this issue. Scrappers provide a service to residents, getting rid of unwanted items.
On the other side, some scrappers tend to take things that are not being discarded. Over the years we
have experienced a number of complaints. In 2012, we had nine. So far in 2013, we have had 10
complaints.

Based on the information presented, an ordinance similar to the ones presented would be beneficial for a
number of reasons. It would send a message to those scrappers that do not follow the rules. Also, the
information provided during the licensing process could provide investigative leads if an incident did
occur.

A draft ordinance developed by City Attorney Henn is attached. The draft ordinance requires scrappers to
secure an annual license for $50. This license needs to be in possession of the licensee when scrapping.
A background check is required for the applicant. The Police Department would handle the licensing and
enforcement.

Jim Testin, Community Preservation and Development Director has reviewed and approved the
Ordinance.

Rev 03/01/2013

Agenda Cover Memorandum

Recommendation:

Budget Implications:

Does Action Require an Expenditure of Funds: Yes No
Requires Budget Transfer
If Yes, Total Cost:

If Yes, is this a Budgeted Item: No
Yes

If Budgeted, Budget Code (Fund, Dept, Object)

Attachments:

 Draft Ordinance - Scavengers/Scrappers
 Niles Ordinance on Scavengers/Scrappers
 Barrington Ordinance on Scavengers/Scrappers
 Cary Ordinance on Scavengers/Scappers
 Munster, Indiana Ordinance on Scavengers/Scrappers

Rev 03/01/2013

ORDINANCE NO. _____

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARK RIDGE
AMENDING ARTICLE 12, CHAPTER 1 AND ADDING A NEW CHAPTER 18

OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF PARK RIDGE

BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Park Ridge, Cook County,

Illinois, pursuant to its home rule authority provided under Article VII of the Illinois

Constitution of 1970 as follows:

SECTION 1: That Article 12, “Businesses and Occupations,” Chapter 1,

“Transient Businesses,” Section 1 entitled “Definitions” of the Park Ridge Municipal

Code is hereby amended to delete the definition of “Junk Hauling” in Paragraph A and

to replace it with the definition of “Scavenger/Junk Hauler,” to read in its entirety as

follows:

6. Scavenger/Junk Hauler: the collection, hauling, delivery, carrying and removal of
residential or commercial garbage, refuse, junk, trash, rubbish, debris, wood, oil, grease,
paper, metal, bricks, clothes, furniture, bottles or glassware for disposal, sale or
otherwise.

SECTION 2: That Article 12, “Businesses and Occupations,” Chapter 1,

“Transient Businesses,” Section 2 entitled “Amount of Fee” of the Park Ridge Municipal

Code is hereby amended to read in its entirety as follows:

Yearly License Fees shall be as follows:

Classification License Unit Yearly Fee

Building Contractor Per firm $ 50.00

Food Truck Firm Per truck $ 40.00

Scavenger/Junk Hauler Per firm $ 50.00

Estate Salesperson Per person $ 25.00

Merchandise Truck Firm Per truck $ 40.00

Residential Services Firm Per firm $ 50.00

SECTION 3: That Article 12, “Businesses and Occupations,” is amended to add

a new Chapter 18, entitled “Scavengers,” to read in its entirety as follows:

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12-18-1 License Required; Application
12-18-2 Regulations

12-8-1 License Required; Application

It shall be unlawful to engage in the business of scavenger/junk hauler without having

first secured a license from the City. Application for the license shall be made in

accordance with Chapter 17 of this Article except that the application will be processed

and issued by the Police Department. As part of the application process, the applicant

shall agree to a criminal background check to be performed by the Park Ridge Police

Department and shall provide information about each vehicle to be used.

12-8-2 Regulations

A. Any vehicle used by a scavenger shall be watertight and shall be equipped with

airtight covers for such portions as are used for the transportation of refuse. All

vehicles, boxes or containers used or leased by a scavenger shall be kept securely

closed during hauling.

B. Each licensed scavenger must have its license when engaged in the activities of

scavenging or junk hauling and shall produce the license upon request to any law

enforcement officer or inspector from the City.

C. A license shall not be issued to any applicant who has a warrant outstanding for

any felony or misdemeanor offense or who has been convicted of a felony or

misdemeanor offense within 5 years prior to application.

SECTION 4: This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its

passage, approval and publication according to law.

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SECTION 5: The City Clerk is hereby authorized and directed to publish said
Ordinance in pamphlet form according to law.

Adopted by the City Council of the City of Park Ridge, Illinois this ____ day of _____,
2013.

VOTE:

AYES: _______________________

NAYS: _______________________

ABSENT: _______________________

Approved by me this _____ day of _____, 2013.

___________________________
Mayor

Attest:

_________________________
City Clerk

 

 

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